US EDC Prices Fall 10.8% in Mid-July as Rising Inventories Weigh on Export Market

The US ethylene dichloride (EDC) market weakened sharply in mid-July 2026 as abundant domestic supply, rising inventories, and softer downstream procurement pushed export and spot prices lower. Following several weeks of relatively stable trading, increasing export competition and cautious purchasing from PVC and vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) producers shifted market sentiment decisively bearish. Suppliers continued operating at stable rates with no significant production disruptions, ensuring ample product availability despite weaker buying interest. Although feedstock ethylene and chlorine markets remained broadly stable, they offered insufficient cost support to offset aggressive pricing by exporters. Market participants are now closely monitoring inventory levels and downstream operating rates as procurement strategies remain conservative. Looking ahead, the near-term outlook for ethylene dichloride remains tilted toward further softness as comfortable supply and subdued PVC demand continue weighing on prices. However, seasonal improvement in PVC production, stronger export enquiries, and firmer ethylene costs could gradually support a recovery toward the latter part of the third quarter.